I just started rewriting the site intros for Algeria, starting with Tassili n'Ajjer. Here my eye fell on the confusion about what is in the core zone and what isn't, as described in
Zoë's review:
"One should also know that a) the core zone is not the entire park. It is only the marked rock painting/carving spots and a rather tiny rock forest near Djanet, which is still an impressive sight but pales compared to the natural beauty of the rest the park offers, especially the plateau in the east. b) the park according to Google map is only the rocky areas which doesn't include dunes and is even not stretching into the east. c) according to locals the park even includes Djanet and surrounding villages but I am not sure if that is true."
There is an official map, dating from 1982 so a bit basic but also clear in many aspects:
https://whc.unesco.org/document/100820In contrast to Zoë, I do believe that the core zone covers the whole National Park. This is marked by the all-encompassing blue line on the map and its shape approximately is the same as that of the park as shown on Google Maps. The
2020 IUCN Outlook shows the same outline.
It also would make sense as it was inscribed under natural criteria as well (it's a mixed WHS). Of course, the rock art can just be found at certain locations, however, this is not a serial site but a contiguous area. There's a confusing polygon marked 'P.N.T' (Parc National) on the map in green, but I believe the P.N.T covers the whole area within the blue line.
How do others interpret this? Or maybe Zoë can tell how she came to conclusion A?